Foam test system for firefighting vehicle

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods for determining the accuracy of a foam addition system on a firefighting vehicle are disclosed. The methods may include measuring the amount of a test water stream flowing through a foam metering device.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation patent application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/173,899, filed on Feb. 6, 2014, which claims thepriority benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 61/768,453 entitled “Foam Test System forFirefighting Vehicle,” filed Feb. 23, 2013, the entire disclosures ofwhich are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to firefighting vehicles. Moreparticularly, the invention concerns systems and methods for testing theaccuracy of a foam addition system utilized by a firefighting vehicle.

BACKGROUND

Certain firefighting vehicles can be equipped with a foam additionsystem that can add a foam concentrate to a water stream and therebydischarge a foam/water mixture in order to suppress or prevent a fire.Generally, it is desirable to test the accuracy of a firefightingvehicle's foam addition system to ensure that the correct amount of foamis being added to the water stream so that the foam/water mixture beingdischarged has the proper amount of foam. Certain current methods usedto test the accuracy of a foam addition system can involve the actualdischarge of a foam/water mixture into the environment. However, thedischarge of certain fire retardant foam compositions into theenvironment may have negative environmental effects. Therefore, there isa need for systems and methods that can test the accuracy of a foamaddition system without actually discharging any foam into theenvironment during the testing procedure.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment of the present invention, a method of testing theaccuracy of a firefighting vehicle's foam addition system is providedthat includes the steps of (a) operating the foam addition system in anormal mode where a foam concentrate stream flows through a foammetering device and is thereafter mixed with a first tank water streamsupplied by a water tank on the vehicle, (b) operating the foam additionsystem in a test mode where a test water stream supplied by the watertank flows through the foam metering device and is thereafter mixed witha second tank water stream supplied by the water tank, and (c) during atleast a portion of step (b) measuring the amount of the test waterstream flowing through the foam metering device.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a foam test system fortesting the accuracy of a firefighting vehicle's foam addition system isprovided. The firefighting vehicle is equipped with a water tank forstoring water, a foam tank for storing a liquid foam concentrate, afoam/water mixing device for combining the foam concentrate with thewater, and a foam metering device for metering flow of the foamconcentrate from the foam tank to the foam/water mixing device. Thesystem includes a flow control system shiftable between (i) a normalmode where fluid flow from the foam tank to the foam metering device ispermitted and fluid flow from the water tank to the foam metering deviceis prevented, and (ii) a test mode where fluid flow from the water tankto the foam metering device is permitted and fluid flow from the foamtank to the foam metering device is prevented. The system furtherincludes a flow meter for measuring the amount of water passed throughthe foam metering device when the flow control system is in the testmode.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a firefightingvehicle is provided that includes a water tank for storing water, a foamtank for storing a liquid foam concentrate, a foam/water mixing devicefor combining the foam concentrate with the water, and a foam meteringdevice for metering flow of the foam concentrate from the foam tank tothe foam/water mixing device. The firefighting vehicle further includesa flow control system shiftable between (i) a normal mode where fluidflow from the foam tank to the foam metering device is permitted andfluid flow from the water tank to the foam metering device is prevented,and (ii) a test mode where fluid flow from the water tank to the foammetering device is permitted and fluid flow from the foam tank and thefoam metering device is prevented. The firefighting vehicle alsoincludes a flow meter for measuring the amount of water passed throughthe foam metering device when the flow control system is in the testmode.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Embodiments of the present invention are described herein with referenceto the following drawing figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an internal foam test system inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention, particularlyshowing a water tank, a pump, a flow control system, a foam meteringdevice, and a flow meter, all mounted on a firefighting truck;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an internal foam test system inaccordance with another embodiment of the present invention,particularly showing a water tank, a pump, a flow control system, a foammetering device, a flow meter, and a flow meter display; and

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an external foam test system inaccordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention,particularly showing a water tank, a pump, and a foam metering device,all mounted on a firefighting vehicle, and a flow meter mounted on atest apparatus separate from the firefighting vehicle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 depicts an internal foam test system 10 for a firefightingvehicle 91 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.The firefighting vehicle 91 can be any type of firefighting vehicleknown to one skilled in the art, such as, for example, a firefightingtruck. In certain embodiments, the firefighting vehicle 91 may beequipped with a foam addition system 26. The foam addition system 26 maybe any type of foam addition system known to one skilled in the art,such as, for example, an around-the-pump (“ATP”) foam addition system.

In certain embodiments, a firefighting vehicle 91 having a foam additionsystem 26 may be equipped with a water tank 13, a foam tank 18, a foammetering device 15, a foam/water mixing device 14, and a pump 11. Thewater tank 13 and the foam tank 18 may be any type of tanks that arecapable of being mounted onto a firefighting vehicle 91, and specifictanks can be chosen by one skilled in the art for a particular purpose.The foam metering device 15 can be any device known to one skilled inthe art that is capable of controlling the flow of a foam concentratefrom the foam tank 18 into the foam/water mixing device 14. In certainembodiments, the foam metering device 15 may include a metering valve.The foam/water mixing device 14 may include any type of mixing deviceknown to one skilled in the art that is capable of mixing foamconcentrate with a stream of water supplied by a water tank 13, such as,for example, an eductor.

In certain embodiments, the foam addition system 26 may be an ATP foamaddition system. In such embodiments, the foam addition system 26 mayinclude a tank water stream, which can include water from the water tank13 that enters into a conduit 21 a, proceeds past a check valve 12,through a conduit 21 b, through the pump 11, and then proceeds throughconduits 22 and 23 a, and through the foam/water mixing device 14. Thecheck valve 12 and the pump 11 are components known to one skilled inthe art and specific types of these components can be chosen by oneskilled in the art for a particular purpose.

In one or more embodiments, a foam concentrate, e.g., in the form of aliquid, may exit the foam tank 18 and enter conduit 31 a, flow throughthe foam concentrate valve 17, through conduits 31 b and 29, and flowinto the foam metering device 15, which may meter the foam concentrateinto conduit 32. In such embodiments, water, e.g., water from the tankwater stream, that is passing through the foam/water mixing device 14may draw foam concentrate from the foam metering device 15 and/orconduit 32 into the foam/water mixing device 14 to thereby form a foamand water mixture. In such embodiments, this foam and water mixture maythen proceed through conduits 23 b and 21 b, through the pump 11, andthrough conduits 22 and 24, and ultimately be discharged via at leastone discharge outlet 25. In certain embodiments, the discharge outlets25 may include one or more under-truck nozzles, one or more hand-lines,and/or one or more turrets. In various embodiments, the foam and watermixture that is discharged may include foam in an amount of at least0.1, 0.5, or 1 (v/v) percent, and/or not more than 15, 12, or 10 (v/v)percent.

The foam concentrate may be any type of foam that can be used tosuppress or prevent various types of fires, such as, for example, ClassA and Class B foams. In certain embodiments, the foam concentrate mayinclude an aqueous film forming foam. In one or more embodiments, thefoam concentrate may include water in an amount of at least 50, 60, or70 percent by weight, and/or not more than 95, 90, 85, or 80 percent byweight. In certain embodiments, the foam concentrate may include anether in amount of at least 1, 2, or 3 percent by weight, and/or notmore than 20, 15, 10, or 8 percent by weight.

In certain embodiments, the foam concentrate may include water and oneor more surfactants. The surfactants may include a hydrocarbonsurfactant and/or a fluorosurfactant. In one or more embodiments, thefoam concentrate may include water and an ether. In such embodiments,the ether may be a butyl ether. In certain embodiments, the butyl ethermay include t-butyl ether and/or a monobutyl ether. In the same oralternative embodiments, the butyl ether may include propylene glycolt-butyl ether and/or diethylene glycol monobutyl ether. In variousembodiments, the foam concentrate may include, water, an ether, and oneor more surfactants. In certain other embodiments, the foam concentratemay include water and a surfactant. In one or more embodiments, the foamconcentrate may include magnesium sulfate in an amount of at least 0.1,0.2, or 0.4 percent by weight, and/or not more than 10, 5, or 3 percentby weight.

In one or more embodiments, it may be desirable to test the accuracy ofthe foam addition system 26. For example, in certain embodiments, a foamtest system 10 may be utilized to test the accuracy of the foam additionsystem 26 without discharging any foam into the environment. Asdiscussed in detail below, the foam test system 10 of FIG. 1 may allowone to determine the accuracy of the foam addition system 26 without theuse of foam by employing a foam concentrate substitute, e.g., a testwater stream, that includes water from the water tank 13 flowing throughthe foam metering device 15, and a flow control system 20 that mayrestrict the flow of foam concentrate into the foam metering device 15.

In certain embodiments, the foam test system 10 of FIG. 1 may include aflow meter 19. In one or more embodiments, the flow meter 19 may bemounted on a firefighting vehicle 91. In certain other embodiments, asdiscussed below with reference to FIG. 3, a flow meter may be may bemounted on a test apparatus that is separate from a firefightingvehicle.

The flow meter 19 of FIG. 1 may be any type of flow meter that iscapable of measuring the flow of a liquid, and a specific flow meter canbe chosen by one skilled in the art for a particular purpose. In certainembodiments, the flow meter 19 may be a magnetic flow meter, e.g., ahigh accuracy, direct measurement, nonintrusive magnetic flow meter. Inone or more embodiments, the flow meter 19 may be positioned upstream ofthe foam metering device 15. In the same or alternative embodiments, theflow meter 19 may be positioned downstream of the water tank 13. In apreferred embodiment, the flow meter 19 may be positioned downstream ofthe water tank 13 and upstream of the foam metering device 15. Forexample, in the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, the flow meter 19 may bepositioned along conduit 28, which can be utilized to deliver a testwater stream from the water tank 13 to the foam metering device 15. Theflow meter 19 can be positioned at any other location in the foam testsystem 10 as long as the flow meter 19 is capable of measuring the totalflow and/or flow rate of a fluid entering the foam metering device 15 aspart of the foam test system 10. For example, in certain embodiments,the flow meter 19 may be positioned along conduit 29.

As discussed above, in certain embodiments, the foam test system 10 mayinclude a flow control system 20. In such embodiments, the flow controlsystem 20 may shift the foam addition system 26 between a normal modeand a test mode, where the normal mode may be used to meter foam into atank water stream, and where the test mode may be used to meter a testwater stream into a tank water stream. For example, in such embodiments,when the flow control system 20 is in the normal mode, fluid flow fromthe foam tank 18 to the foam metering device 15 may be permitted andfluid flow from the water tank 13 to the foam meter device 15 may berestricted, and when in the test mode, fluid flow from the water tank 13to the foam metering device 15 may be permitted and fluid flow from thefoam tank 18 to the foam metering device 15 may be restricted.

In one or more embodiments, the flow control system 20 may include atest water valve 16 and/or a foam concentrate valve 17. The test watervalve 16 and the foam concentrate valve 17 may be any type of valvesthat are capable of controlling the flow of a fluid through such avalve. In certain embodiments, the test water valve 16 may be positionedwithin the foam test system 10 so as to be able to control the fluidflow of test water from the water tank 13 to the foam metering device15. In such embodiments, the test water valve 16 may be positionedupstream of the foam metering device 15 and downstream of the water tank13. For example, in the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, the test watervalve 16 may be coupled to conduits 27 and 28 a so as to be able topermit and/or prevent test water to flow from the water tank 13 to thefoam metering device 15, via conduits 27, 28 a, 28 b, and 29. The testwater valve 16 may be positioned anywhere within the foam test system 10and/or the foam addition system 26 as long as the test water valve 16 iscapable of permitting and/or preventing water to flow from the watertank 13 to the foam metering device 15, via conduits 27, 28 a, 28 b, and29.

In one or more embodiments, the foam concentrate valve 17 may bepositioned within the foam test system 10 and/or the foam additionsystem 26 so as to be able to control the fluid flow of foam concentratefrom the foam tank 18 to the foam metering device 15. In suchembodiments, the foam concentrate valve 17 may be positioned downstreamof the foam tank 18 and upstream of the foam metering device 15. Forexample, in the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, the foam concentratevalve 17 may be coupled to conduits 31 a and 31 b so as to be able topermit and/or prevent foam concentrate to flow from the foam tank 18into the foam metering device 15, via conduits 31 a, 31 b, and 29. Thefoam concentrate valve 17 may be positioned anywhere within the foamtest system 10 and/or the foam addition system 26 as long as the foamconcentrate valve 17 is capable of permitting and/or preventing water toflow from the foam tank 18 to the foam metering device 15, via conduits31 a, 31 b, and 29.

As discussed above, when the foam addition system 26 is in the normalmode, fluid flow from the foam tank 18 to the foam metering device 15may be permitted. In such embodiments, when in the normal mode, the foamconcentrate valve 17 may be open so as to permit flow of the foamconcentrate from the foam tank 18 into the foam metering device 15.Further, in such embodiments, when in the normal mode, the test watervalve 16 may be closed so as to prevent the flow of the test water fromthe water tank 18 to the foam metering device 15. In certainembodiments, when the foam addition system 26 is in the normal mode, afoam/water mixing device 14, e.g., an eductor, may draw the liquid foamconcentrate through the foam metering device 15. Further, in suchembodiments, the foam concentrate exiting the foam metering device 15may mix with a tank water stream in the foam/water mixing device 14. Inone or more embodiments, this water and foam mixture may enter the pump11 via conduit 23 b and then proceed through conduits 22 and 24 to bedischarged via at least one of the discharge outlets 25.

As discussed above, when the foam addition system 26 is in the testmode, fluid flow from the water tank 13 to the foam metering device 15may be permitted. For example, when in the test mode, the test watervalve 16 may be open so as to permit the flow of test water, e.g., atest water stream, from the water tank 13 to the foam metering device15. Further, in such embodiments, when in the test mode, the foamconcentrate valve 17 may be closed so as to prevent the flow of foamconcentrate from the foam tank 18 into the foam metering device 15. Incertain embodiments, when in the test mode, a foam/water mixing device14, e.g., an eductor, may draw test water, e.g., a test water streamstream, through the foam metering device 15. Further, in suchembodiments, the test water may mix with a tank water stream in thefoam/water mixing device 14, and this mixture may pass through conduits23 b and 21 b, through the pump 11, through conduits 22 and 24, and maybe discharged via at least one discharge outlet 25.

As discussed above, the foam test system 10 may be used to test theaccuracy of the foam addition system 26 without discharging foam intothe environment, which, in certain embodiments, may include measuringthe amount of a test water stream that flows through the foam meteringdevice 15. In such embodiments, measuring the amount of a test waterstream that flows through the foam metering device 15 may includemeasuring the flow rate and/or the total flow of the test water streamflowing through the foam metering device 15. In certain embodiments, theflow meter 19 of FIG. 1 may measure the flow rate and/or total flow ofthe test water stream that flows through the foam metering device 15.For example, in such embodiments, a test water stream from the watertank 13 on its way to the foam metering device 15, may pass throughconduit 27, through the test water valve 16, and into conduit 28 wherethe flow meter 19 is positioned, thereby allowing the flow meter 19 tomeasure the flow rate and/or the total flow of the test water streamthat flows through the foam metering device 15.

In certain embodiments, operating the foam addition system 26 in thetest mode may include discharging a mixture of a test water stream and atank water stream from at least one discharge outlet 25. In suchembodiments, a user may measure the amount of the test water stream/tankwater stream mixture discharged from the discharge outlet 25. In certainembodiments, a user may measure the amount of the test water stream/tankwater stream mixture discharged from the discharge outlet 25 bymeasuring the flow rate and/or total flow of the test water stream/tankwater stream discharged from the discharge outlet 25. Further, incertain embodiments, a user may determine the concentration of the testwater stream in the test water stream/tank water stream mixture usingthe measured amount of the test water stream/tank water stream mixturedischarged from the discharge outlet 25 and the measured amount of thetest water stream flowing through the foam metering device 15. Forexample, as discussed below with reference to the embodiment depicted inFIG. 2, a user may determine the concentration of the test water streamin the test water stream/tank water stream mixture using: 1) themeasured amount of the test water stream/tank water stream mixturedischarged from the discharge outlet 25 during a specified time period;and 2) the total amount of the test water stream flowing through thefoam metering device 15 during a specified time period.

FIG. 2 provides a more detailed depiction of an internal foam testsystem 10 for an ATP foam addition system 26 configured in accordancewith one embodiment of the present invention. In certain embodiments,the components of the foam addition system 26, the foam test system 10,and/or the flow control system 20 of FIG. 2 may have the same propertiesand parameters as the same-numbered corresponding components of the foamaddition system 26, the foam test system 10, and/or the flow controlsystem 20 discussed above with reference to FIG. 1. Below, a detaileddescription of the operation of the foam test system 10 of FIG. 2 in thetest mode is provided.

In certain embodiments, to operate the foam test system 10 of FIG. 2, avalve 34 may be opened allowing water from the water supply 33, e.g., afire hydrant line, to flow through a meter 36, through a conduit 37,through a connection 39, and through the valve 84, and into the watertank 13. Further, in such embodiments, an engine 87 may be started,driving the air compressor 88 and sending air to the air tank 89,through conduit 50, through valve 72, and through conduit 73, therebyholding the actuator 79 on the test water valve 16 closed, and holdingthe actuator 82 on valve 83 in the default operational mode. Air mayalso pass through conduit 51, through valve 40, through conduit 54,thereby holding the actuator 35 on the foam concentrate valve 17 closed.In addition, in such embodiments, air may pass through valve 41 andthrough conduit 52, thereby holding the actuator 85 on valve 86 closed.

In one or more embodiments, the water switch 75, which may receive powerfrom a battery 59 via conductor 58, can be activated “ON.” In suchembodiments, activating the water switch ON may allow power to gothrough the water switch 75 and through conductor 76 to activate valve41, thereby allowing air from conduit 51 to flow through conduit 52 tothe actuator 85 on valve 86 to open the valve 86. Further, in suchembodiments, air may be exhausted from the actuator 85 through conduit52 to the atmosphere. In such embodiments, power may also go throughconductor 77 engaging the power take-off (“PTO”) 90, and therebyactivating the water pump 11. Further, in such embodiments, water mayflow from the water tank 13, through conduit 21 a, through valve 86,through check valve 12, through conduit 21 b, through water pump 11, andinto conduits 22 and 24.

In certain embodiments, the plumbing system, which, for example, mayinclude conduits 21 a, 21 b, 22, and 24, may be purged of all air byopening the discharge outlets 25 until all air is expelled. In suchembodiments, the discharge outlets 25 may then be closed and the waterswitch 75 can be turned “OFF.” Further, in such embodiments, filling ofthe water tank 13 can continue until it over flows through a ventlocated thereon. In addition, once the water overflows through the watertank 13 vent, the valve 36 can be turned “OFF.”

In one or more embodiments, the flow rate of each discharge outlet 25may be tested by turning the water switch 75 “ON” and allowing water toflow through each discharge outlet 25 separately for a predeterminedtime. For example, in such embodiments, water may flow through theundertruck nozzles and handlines for 5 minutes, through the turret lowflows for 2 minutes, and/or through the turret high flows for 1 minute.In such embodiments, after allowing each individual discharge outlet 25to flow, e.g., for the above-mentioned predetermined time, the readingon the meter 36 can be recorded as the “Beginning Water Reading,” priorto opening valve 34. Next, in such embodiments, valve 34 may be openedand the water tank 13 may be refilled until it over flows through thevent located thereon. In such embodiments, as soon as water isdischarged from the vent on the water tank 13, the valve 34 may beclosed and the reading on meter 36 can be recorded as the “Ending WaterReading.” In such embodiments, the flow rate of each discharge outletcan be determined according to Formula I shown below.((Ending Water Reading−Beginning Water Reading)/time of discharge)=FlowRate  I

The flow rate determined according to Formula I can be in the units ofvolume units per minute, and can be recorded as the “Discharge Flow.” Insuch embodiments, the process described above can be completed todetermine and record the Discharge Flow for each discharge outlet, e.g.,undertruck nozzles, handlines, turret low flows, and/or turret highflows.

In certain embodiments, the Foam Flow can be determined, which can beused along with the Discharge Flow to determine the concentration of thetest water stream in the test water stream/tank water mixture. In suchembodiments, to prepare the foam test system 10 and the foam additionsystem 26 to measure the Foam Flow, valve 72 can be turned “ON” byinsertion and turning of a key 72 a. In such embodiments, air from theair compressor 88 can flow through the air tank 89, through conduit 50,through valve 72, through conduit 74, to the actuator 79, therebyopening valve 16. In such embodiments, air can also flow to the actuator82 thereby shifting valve 83 into the test mode. Further, air pressurefrom conduit 74 may close pressure switch 60, allowing power frombattery 59 to travel through pressure switch 60, through conductor 61,through power conditioner 78, through conductor 62, thereby closingvalves 80 and 81 and/or turning lights 63 and 64 on. In certainembodiments, the light 63 may be positioned inside the cab of afirefighting vehicle, while the light 64 may be positioned on anenclosure 91 a separate from the cab of the firefighting vehicle. Inaddition, water may flow from the water tank 13, through conduit 27 a,through valve 16, through conduit 27 b, through meter 19, throughconduit 28, through valve 83, through conduit 29, and into the foammetering device 15. In such embodiments, power may travel from conductor62 to conductor 62 a, thereby turning switch 66 “ON,” which may allowpower to travel through conductor 67, thereby turning on the light 65,activating the meter 19, and activating the meter display 71. Further,turning switch 66 “ON” can send power to switch 68, for the purposesdiscussed below.

In addition, it may be desirable to add a visual enhancement solution tothe test water stream so a user can ensure that the test water streamhas mixed with the tank water stream. For example, in such embodiments,once switch 68 is “ON,” power may travel through conductor 69, which canturn on light 70 and activate either valve 45 or valve 46 depending onwhat discharge is activated. In such embodiments, a visual enhancementsolution may then flow from the visual enhancement solution tank 42,through conduit 43 and/or 44, through valve 45 and/or 46, throughorifices 48 and/or 49, through conduit 47, and into conduit 32, wherethe visual enhancement solution may mix with the test water streamexiting the foam metering device 15. The visual enhancement solution canbe any type of solution known to one skilled in the art, as long as itis able to be mixed with the test water stream and be detected by auser. In one or more embodiments, the solution can be a common foodcoloring dye.

In certain embodiments, to begin the Foam Flow readings, the engine 87may be started and the water switch 75 turned “ON.” In such embodiments,power from battery 59 can flow through conductor 58, through the waterswitch 75, through conductor 76, thereby activating valve 41 andallowing air from conduit 51 to flow through conduit 52 and to theactuator 85 on valve 86 to open the valve 86. Further, in suchembodiments, air may be exhausted from the actuator 85 through conduit52 to the atmosphere. In addition, power may also flow through conductor77, thereby engaging PTO 90 and activating the water pump 11. Further,in such embodiments, water, e.g., a tank water stream, may flow from thewater tank 13, through conduit 21 a, through valve 86, through checkvalve 12, through conduit 21 b, through water pump 11, and into conduit22. Water can also flow through conduit 23 a, through eductor 14(creating a low pressure area), through conduit 23 b, into conduit 21 b,through water pump 11, and back into conduit 22. At the same time, insuch embodiments, a visual enhancement solution, e.g., a food coloringdye, may flow into conduit 32 as discussed above. Further, in suchembodiments, opening a discharge 25 may open an orifice on the foammetering device 15, thereby allowing a metered volume of a test waterstream to flow through the foam metering device 15, through conduit 32,mixing with the visual enhancement solution into eductor 14, then mixwith the tank water stream flowing into conduit 23 b, thereby allowingthe meter 19 and the conduits 27 b, 28, and 29 to be flooded with water.Further, in such embodiments, the water switch 75 can then be turned“OFF” and the reading on display 71 can be recorded as “Beginning FoamReading.” In such embodiments, the water switch 75 can then be turned“ON” and discharge 25 can be opened and allowed to flow for apredetermined time, e.g., for 5 minutes at the undertruck nozzles andhandlines, for 2 minutes at the turret low flows, and for 1 minute atthe turret high flows. After flowing each individual discharge 25 for apredetermined time, e.g., the time detailed above, the water switch 75can be turned “OFF” and the reading on display 71 can be recorded as the“Ending Foam Reading.” The Foam Flow (i.e., flow rate of the foammetering device 15) can be determined according to Formula II providedbelow.Foam Flow=(Ending Foam Reading−Beginning Foam Reading)/time ofdischarge  II

In such embodiments, the Foam Concentrate Percentage can be determinedaccording to Formula III provided below. In the embodiment depicted inFIG. 2, operating in the test mode, the Foam Concentrate Percentagemeasured relates to the concentration of the test water stream in thetest water stream and tank water stream mixture, which may accuratelyreflect an actual foam concentrate percentage when the foam additionsystem 26 of FIG. 2 is operated in the normal mode.

$\begin{matrix}{{{Foam}\mspace{14mu}{Concentrate}\mspace{14mu}{Percentage}} = {\frac{{Foam}\mspace{14mu}{Flow}}{\mspace{25mu}\begin{matrix}{{Discharge}\mspace{14mu}{Flow}*} \\{{time}\mspace{14mu}{of}\mspace{14mu}{discharge}\mspace{14mu}{during}\mspace{14mu}{Foam}\mspace{14mu}{Flow}}\end{matrix}}*100}} & {III}\end{matrix}$

In certain embodiments, the Foam Flow can be determined for eachdischarge outlet 25, e.g., the undertruck nozzles and handlines, theturret low flows, and the turret high flows, and then the FoamConcentrate Percentage can be determined for each of the dischargeoutlets 25 as discussed above.

In one or more embodiments, when all testing is complete, switches 66and 68 can be turned “OFF” and the key 72 a on valve 72 can be turned“OFF” and removed. In such embodiments, this will allow air to flow fromconduit 50, through valve 72, through conduit 73, and to actuator 79,thereby closing test water valve 16. Further, air may also flow toactuator 82, thereby shifting valve 83 to the default operational mode.In such embodiments, air may be exhausted from actuator 82 and actuator79 through valve 72 and conduit 74, which allows the pressure switch 60to open, thereby disconnecting power to conductor 61 and turning offpower conditioner 78. Further, in such embodiments, power to conductor62 may also be turned off, thereby allowing valves 80 and 81 to openallowing water to drain from conduits 27 b and 28, and from meter 19.

FIG. 3 depicts an alternative embodiment of the foam test system 30 fora foam addition system 50, where one or more of the components of thefoam test system 30 may be mounted on a test apparatus 70 separate froma firefighting vehicle 60. In one or more embodiments, the testapparatus 70 may be a mobile apparatus, such as, for example, a vehicle,trailer, or cart.

In one or more embodiments, the foam test system 30 may include a flowcontrol system 40 that includes at least two fluid connectors forconnecting and disconnecting the test apparatus 70 and the foam additionsystem 50. For example, as shown in the embodiment depicted in FIG. 3, afirefighting vehicle 60 may be equipped with water connections 47 and 49that may permit external components of the foam test system 30, e.g.,the flow meter 39, to be connected and disconnected from the foamaddition system 50 via conduits 46 c and 48 a. The water connections 47and 49 may be any type of water connections that are capable ofconnecting external components of the foam test system 30 to the foamaddition system 50, and specific connections can be chosen by oneskilled in the art for a particular purpose.

In certain embodiments, the test apparatus 70 may be used to test thefoam addition systems of multiple different firefighting vehicles. Forexample, in an embodiment not depicted in the Figures, the testapparatus 70 may include multiple flow meters 39, with each flow meter39 connected to a flow control system 40 for each firefighting vehicle60. In certain other embodiments, the test apparatus 70 may include oneflow meter 39 connected to multiple flow control systems 40 on multiplefirefighting vehicles 60. In such embodiments, the flow meter 39 may beconnected to multiple flow control systems in any manner known to oneskilled in the art, such as, for example, via a three-way ball valve. Inone or more embodiments, the test apparatus 70 may be mobile and can berelocated from firefighting vehicle to firefighting vehicle in order toperform foam testing. In certain other embodiments, the test apparatus70 may be stationary and multiple different firefighting vehicles can bebrought to the test apparatus 70 for foam testing. In such embodiments,the test apparatus 70 may include one flow meter 39 or multiple flowmeters 39, as discussed above.

In certain embodiments, the foam test system 30, the foam additionsystem 50, and/or the flow control system 40 may operate in a mannersimilar to that of the respective foam test system 10, foam additionsystem 26, and flow control system 20 discussed above with reference toFIG. 1. Accordingly, in certain embodiments, the components of the foamtest system 30, the foam addition system 50, and the flow control system40 may have similar properties and parameters as discussed aboveregarding the respective components of the foam test system 10, foamaddition system 26, and flow control system 20 discussed above withreference to FIG. 1. Below, a description of the operation of the foamaddition system 50, flow control system 40, and foam test system 30 isprovided.

In certain embodiments, to operate the foam addition system 50 in thenormal mode, water, e.g., a tank water stream, from water tank 33 mayenter conduit 41 a, flow through check valve 32, through conduit 41 b,through the pump 31, through conduits 42 and 43 a, and into thewater/foam mixing device 34. In such embodiments, foam concentrate mayenter conduit 53 a from the foam tank 38, flow through the foamconcentrate valve 37, through conduit 53 b, through conduit 51, and intothe foam metering device 35. In such embodiments, the foam meteringdevice 35 may meter foam concentrate into the conduit 52, where the foamconcentrate can then be mixed with the tank water stream in thefoam/water mixing device 34. In such embodiments, the foam and tankwater mixture may then proceed through conduits 43 b, 41 b through thepump 31, through conduits 42 and 44, and through at least one dischargeoutlet 45.

In one or more embodiments, to operate the foam addition system 50 inthe test mode, the test water valve 36 may be open so as to permit themeasurement of the flow rate or total flow of the test water stream. Forexample, in such embodiments, a test water stream from the water tank 33may flow through conduit 46 a, through test water valve 36, throughconduit 46 b, through water connection 47, through conduit 46 c, throughthe flow meter 39, through conduit 48 a, through water connection 49,through conduits 48 b and 51, and into the foam metering device 35.Further, in such embodiments, a tank water stream may flow through thefoam/water mixing device 34 drawing the test water stream from the foammetering device 35 into the mixing device 34, and the resulting testwater stream and tank water mixture can then proceed through conduits 43b, 41 b, through pump 31, through conduits 42 and 44 to be discharged ata discharge outlet 45. In such embodiments, the flow meter 39 may beused to measure the flow rate or total flow of the test water streambeing metered through the foam metering device 35 when in the test mode.In such embodiments, the foam concentrate valve 37 may have been closedto restrict the fluid flow of foam concentrate from the foam tank 38into the foam mixing device 35.

In certain embodiments, the foam addition system 50, the foam testsystem 30, and the flow control system 40 may be present on afirefighting vehicle having similar components as those discussed abovewith reference to FIG. 2, with the exception that one or more componentsof the foam test system 30 may be external to the firefighting vehicle,such as, for example, the flow meter 39. In such embodiments, the foamconcentration (or the concentration of the test water stream in a testwater stream and tank water stream mixture) may be calculated for anydischarge outlet 45 in the manner discussed above with reference to FIG.2. For example, the Foam Flow and Discharge Flow of the foam additionsystem 50 may be determined using the firefighting vehicle discussedabove with regard to FIG. 2, with the exception that the firefightingvehicle may employ water connectors 47 and 49 to connect the flow meterof the foam test system 30 on a test apparatus separate from thefirefighting vehicle. In such embodiments, once the Foam Flow andDischarge Flow have been determined, one can determine the foamconcentration (or the concentration of the test water stream in a testwater stream and tank water stream mixture) for each discharge outlet 45tested.

The preferred forms of the invention described above are to be used asillustration only, and should not be used in a limiting sense tointerpret the scope of the present invention. Modifications to theexemplary embodiments, set forth above, could be readily made by thoseskilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the presentinvention.

The inventors hereby state their intent to rely on the Doctrine ofEquivalents to determine and assess the reasonably fair scope of thepresent invention as it pertains to any apparatus not materiallydeparting from but outside the literal scope of the invention as setforth in the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of testing the accuracy of afirefighting vehicle's foam system, the method comprising: (a) operatinga pressurized foam addition system comprising a continuous flow loopincluding a pump and a mixing device in a normal mode, including: (i)supplying a foam concentrate stream through a foam metering device tothe flow loop at the mixing device; (ii) supplying a first tank waterstream from a water tank on the vehicle to the flow loop between themixing device and the pump; and (iii) mixing the foam concentrate streamand the first tank water stream to form a foam-and-water mixture bycontinuously circulating the foam-and-water mixture along the flow loopsuch that the continuously circulated foam-and-water mixture leaves themixing device, passes through the pump, and reenters the mixing device;(b) operating the foam addition system in a test mode, including: (i)supplying a test water stream from the water tank through the foammetering device to the flow loop at the mixing device; (ii) supplying asecond tank water stream from the water tank to the flow loop betweenthe mixing device and the pump; and (iii) mixing the test water streamwith the second tank water stream to form a test water/tank watermixture by continuously circulating the test water/tank water mixturealong the flow loop such that the continuously circulated testwater/tank water mixture leaves the mixing device, passes through thepump, and reenters the mixing, device; and (c) during at least a portionof step (b), measuring the amount of the test water stream flowingthrough the foam metering device.
 2. The method according to claim 1,wherein step (c) includes measuring the flow rate and/or total flow ofthe test water stream flowing through the foam metering device.
 3. Themethod according to claim 1, wherein the first and second tank waterstreams do not flow through the foam metering device during steps (a)and (b).
 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein step (b) includesdischarging the test water/tank water mixture from a discharge outlet.5. The method according to claim 4, further comprising measuring theamount of the test water/tank water mixture discharged from thedischarge outlet, wherein the measuring of the amount of the testwater/tank water mixture includes measuring the flow rate and/or totalflow of the test water/tank water mixture discharged from the dischargeoutlet.
 6. The method according to claim 5, further comprisingdetermining a concentration of the test water stream in the testwater/tank water mixture using the measured amount of the testwater/tank water mixture discharged from the discharge outlet and themeasured amount of the test water stream flowing through the foammetering device.
 7. The method according to claim 1, further comprisingusing a flow control system to shift from the normal mode to the testmode, wherein the flow control system comprises a foam concentrate valveand a test water valve.
 8. The method according to claim 7, whereinduring the test mode the test water valve is open so as to permit flowof the test water stream from the water tank into the foam meteringdevice, wherein during the test mode the foam concentrate valve isclosed so as to prevent flow of the foam concentrate stream from a foamtank into the foam metering device.
 9. The method according to claim 1,wherein the foam addition system comprises a flow meter for carrying outthe measuring of step (c), wherein the flow meter is a magnetic flowmeter.
 10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the flow meter ismounted on the firefighting vehicle.
 11. The method according to claim9, wherein the flow meter is positioned upstream of the foam meteringdevice.
 12. The method according to claim 1, wherein the foam additionsystem comprises an eductor, wherein during the normal mode the foamconcentrate stream and the first tank water stream are mixed in theeductor, wherein during the test mode the test water stream and thesecond tank water stream are mixed in the eductor.
 13. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein the foam addition system is anaround-the-pump system.
 14. The method according to claim 1, wherein thefoam concentrate stream comprises an aqueous film forming foam (AFFF).15. The method according to claim 1, wherein the foam concentrate streamcomprises an ether in an amount of at least 1 percent by weight and notmore than 20 percent by weight.
 16. A method of testing the accuracy ofa firefighting vehicle's foam system by operating a pressurized foamaddition system comprising a continuous flow loop including a pump and amixing device in a test mode, the method comprising: supplying a testwater stream from a water tank on the vehicle through a foam meteringdevice to the flow loop at the mixing device, wherein the foam meteringdevice is configured, during a normal mode, to meter a foam concentratestream supplied from a foam tank to the flow loop, and wherein the flowloop is configured, during the normal mode, to mix the foam concentratestream and a first tank water stream supplied from the water tank to theflow loop to form a foam-and-water mixture by continuously circulatingthe foam-and-water mixture along the flow loop such that thecontinuously circulated foam-and-water mixture leaves the mixing device,passes through the pump, and reenters the mixing device; measuring theamount of the test water stream flowing through the foam meteringdevice; supplying a second tank water stream from the water tank to theflow loop between the mixing device and the pump; mixing the test waterstream with the second tank water stream to form a test water/tank watermixture by continuously circulating the test water/tank water mixturealong the flow loop such that the continuously circulated testwater/tank water mixture leaves the mixing device, passes through thepump, and reenters the mixing device; discharging the test water/tankwater mixture from a discharge outlet; and measuring the amount of thetest water/tank water mixture discharged from the discharge outlet. 17.The method according to claim 16, wherein the second tank water streamdoes not flow through the foam metering device.
 18. The method accordingto claim 16, further comprising determining a concentration of the testwater stream in the test water/tank water mixture using the measuredamount of the test water/tank water mixture discharged from thedischarge outlet and the measured amount of the test water streamflowing through the foam metering device.
 19. The method according toclaim 16, wherein the firefighting vehicle includes a flow controlsystem configured to shift from the normal mode to the test mode,wherein the flow control system comprises a foam concentrate valve and atest water valve, and wherein the method further comprises: opening thetest water valve so as to permit flow of the test water stream from thewater tank into the foam metering device; and closing the foamconcentrate valve so as to prevent flow of the foam concentrate streamfrom the foam tank into the foam metering device.
 20. The methodaccording to claim 16 wherein the firefighting vehicle includes aneductor, the method further comprising mixing the test water stream andthe second tank water stream in the eductor.